Question 1

A parent asks the pediatric nurse, "How tall is the average 6-year-old boy, and how much does the average 6-year-old boy weigh?" After advising the parent that each child is unique and growth is affected by many factors, the nurse would give the average height and weight for a 6-year-old boy as:

Accepted Answer

The average 6-year-old boy is approximately 46 inches tall and weighs about 45 pounds. These figures are general averages and individual growth rates can vary.

Question 2

When working with school-aged children, the nurse should keep in mind that these children will increase their weight by how many pounds per year?

Accepted Answer

School-aged children typically gain about 5-6 pounds per year. This is a general guideline for healthy growth and development during this stage.

Question 3

The nurse in the pediatric clinic measures a 9-year-old child's height and finds that the child has grown 4 inches in 1 year. The nurse will discuss this increase in height with the caregivers, keeping in mind that an increase of 4 inches in 1 year, when compared to the usual increase for a school-aged child, is:

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

The school nurse is talking with a group of parents about the growth and development of their school-aged children. A parent asks the nurse, "Just what are growing pains?" Which of the following is the best response?

Accepted Answer

Growing pains are often attributed to the rapid growth of long bones outpacing the growth of the muscles and tendons attached to them, leading to discomfort or pain.

Question 5

A parent asks the school nurse to explain there children usually feel growing pains. The nurse explains that the discomfort is usually in the:

Accepted Answer

Growing pains typically occur in the knees, calves, and thighs. These pains are common in children and are often experienced at night. They are not usually associated with growth but rather with overuse and muscle fatigue.

Question 6

The pediatric nurse is working with the parents of a school-aged child who has growing pains. The nurse recommends that the parents try which of the following as comfort measures?

Accepted Answer

Growing pains are often relieved by analgesics (for pain relief), gentle massage (to soothe the muscles), and warm baths (to relax muscle tension). These methods are commonly recommended for their effectiveness in providing comfort.

Question 7

When parents select or approve physical activities for their children, they most need to select activities according to the:

Accepted Answer

Selecting activities according to the abilities of the child ensures that the child can participate safely and successfully, which is crucial for their development and enjoyment.

Question 8

The nurse working on the pediatric unit checks the apical pulse of a school-aged child and finds a rate of 95 beats per minute while the child is lying in bed. The best action on the part of the nurse is to:

Accepted Answer

The normal resting heart rate for a school-aged child (6-11 years) ranges from 70 to 110 beats per minute, so a rate of 95 is within this normal range.

Question 9

The pediatrician is doing a routine physical exam on a school-aged child and tells the parents that their child has an innocent heart murmur. The parents ask the nurse what this means. The best answer is:

Accepted Answer

Innocent heart murmurs are sounds made by blood circulating through the heart's chambers and valves or through blood vessels near the heart. They are common in healthy children and are not indicative of a heart problem, which makes option D the correct explanation.

Question 10

Parents ask the nurse if their child will always have this innocent heart murmur. Which of the following is the best answer?

Accepted Answer

Innocent heart murmurs in children often resolve on their own as the child grows, particularly by the time they reach adolescence. These murmurs are not indicative of heart disease and typically do not require treatment.

Question 11

During the school-age years a child will lose 20 deciduous or baby teeth. Which of the following factors determine the rate at which children lose these teeth?

Accepted Answer

The rate at which children lose their deciduous teeth is primarily determined by genetics and gender, with these factors influencing the timing and sequence of tooth loss. Dietary habits, sugar consumption, and oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing mainly affect dental health rather than the natural process of tooth loss and replacement by permanent teeth.

Question 12

A parent asks the nurse why his school-aged child, who was ill so often during the preschool years, is now healthy and seldom ill. Which of the following is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

The immune system matures over time, leading to an increased production of antibodies by school age, which helps in fighting off infections more effectively.

Question 13

The pediatrician has been speaking with a mother about the "prepubescent period." Later the mother asks the nurse, "What does prepubescence mean?" Which of the following is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

Prepubescence refers to the stage immediately before puberty begins, characterized by the onset of secondary sexual characteristics and other physical changes. It is not from birth until reproductive ability (B), not just the months of developing secondary sexual characteristics (C), and not related to interest in a sexual partner or first sexual mating (D).

Question 14

What is the average age of puberty for females in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The average age of puberty for females in the United States is around 12 years old. This is when they typically begin to experience physical changes such as breast development and the start of menstruation.

Question 15

A father asks the nurse to explain what people mean when they use the term latency, because someone recently referred to his 7-year-old child as being in "latency." Which of the following is the most accurate response the nurse could give?

Accepted Answer

Latency refers to a stage in psychosexual development, typically occurring from age 6 to puberty, characterized by a decrease in sexual interests and activities, allowing the child to focus on social and intellectual skills. This stage was described by Freud and is considered a period of calm before the storm of puberty.

Question 16

The nurse assessing a young school-aged child finds that this child has the skill of classification. Having this skill means the child will be able to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Classification skills allow children to sort objects into categories based on shared characteristics, such as sorting animals by type.

Question 17

The nurse assessing a young school-aged child finds that the child has the skill of conservation. When the nurse tells the parents that their child has the skill of conservation, they ask what this means. The nurse explains that conservation is the ability to:

Accepted Answer

Conservation, in the context of cognitive development, refers to the understanding that altering an object's form or appearance does not change its quantity, mass, or volume. This concept is a key developmental milestone in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, typically emerging in the concrete operational stage (around ages 7 to 11).

Question 18

The nurse is assessing a 6-year-old child's thought processes. The nurse will find which of the following types of thinking?

Accepted Answer

Children around the age of 6 typically engage in concrete thinking and focus on the present time, not yet capable of abstract reasoning or focusing extensively on past or future contexts.

Question 19

The pediatric nurse is assigned to care for a 7-year-old child in the hospital. The child is going to have surgery in the morning. The child asks the nurse if this surgery will hurt. Which of the following is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

Option B is the best response because it truthfully addresses the child's concern about pain during surgery and reassures the child that pain management will be provided post-surgery, using language that is appropriate for a 7-year-old's understanding.

Question 20

The nurse is assessing a school-aged child and finds that this child is involved in working on a school project with peers, is on a swimming team, and collects dolls from around the world. The child mentions an interest in learning karate. The nurse's initial impression is that this child:

Accepted Answer

The child's involvement in various activities and interests in learning new skills like karate align with Erikson's stage of Industry vs. Inferiority, which is the major developmental task for school-aged children. This stage emphasizes the development of competence and skills in various areas.

Quiz 11: Growth and Development of the School-Aged Child